Broken steering control arm on SX230 starboard engine - how do I replace it?

[Whiskey]

I'm not sure what I'm looking at here, but the starboard thrust nozzle control arm is broken. Do you guys know what I need to order to replace this part?

Is this actually the end of the steering cable and ordering new steering cables is what I need to do?

 

[Beachbummer]

Sorry you broke your steering cable. Yes, the answer to your question is Yes.

If you are super urged to go out next weekend you MIGHT be able to salvage by creating new threads on the cable end you have and adding an extension/coupling. (It can be done, I did it on the other end of the cable in another jet boat, many years ago. A bit of a pain, but might save the weekend.) Ultimately you want to replace the steering cable to restore full function. You also need to remove the busted piece from the inside of the piece attached to the nozzle.

Also check your nozzle steering resistance...does it move easily/softly side to side if you move it by hand now that it's free from the cable? it should, if not something is too tight or has some corrosion on it.

 

[Acard7]

Scroll down on this thread to find your part number you need:

Cable part numbers

Click on this thread for step by step on how to replace:

Replacing steering cable

The FAQ section is a godsend and has plenty of information on here, especially involving the 230s.

FAQ
Then click on navigation to pull up the different tabs to look at everything!

 

[dgfreeze]

Be careful with the list that shows all the cables. I found out that my 06 230 had two different length cables, one 18' and one 19'. I almost ordered what the list shows, but verified prior to ordering, and found that the starboard is 18' and the port is 19'. Look on the actual cables under the helm, about 1 or 2 feet from the end of the cable. There should be a part number on each cable. The last two digits are the length of the cable. Unless you see a reason to change, just find out what length you've got, and order a replacement. The cables I ordered are in my signature.

 

[Whiskey]

Great information, thank you so much. I'll go take a look in the helm.

 

[Whiskey]

Be careful with the list that shows all the cables. I found out that my 06 230 had two different length cables, one 18' and one 19'. I almost ordered what the list shows, but verified prior to ordering, and found that the starboard is 18' and the port is 19'. Look on the actual cables under the helm, about 1 or 2 feet from the end of the cable. There should be a part number on each cable. The last two digits are the length of the cable. Unless you see a reason to change, just find out what length you've got, and order a replacement. The cables I ordered are in my signature.

Thanks for the heads up. I've got a 18 and 17 on mine.

 

[dgfreeze]

Did you mean 18 and 19?

 

[Whiskey]

Did you mean 18 and 19?

Yes jeez, apoplogies.

 

[Whiskey]

Be careful with the list that shows all the cables. I found out that my 06 230 had two different length cables, one 18' and one 19'. I almost ordered what the list shows, but verified prior to ordering, and found that the starboard is 18' and the port is 19'. Look on the actual cables under the helm, about 1 or 2 feet from the end of the cable. There should be a part number on each cable. The last two digits are the length of the cable. Unless you see a reason to change, just find out what length you've got, and order a replacement. The cables I ordered are in my signature.

Looks like Babbits and Partzilla is out of the cables. I'm finding them on eBay and not much else.

Do you have a parts house you can recommend?

 

[Whiskey]

It looks like @JetBoatPilot carries the steering cables now actually! They came up in a search for the part number. I'll give them a call in the morning.

 

[Whiskey]

I have the cable in hand and when I look up the 2005 SX230 parts list it’s saying the 19’ cable is the starboard cable, but my boat has its 19’ cable on the PORT (passenger) side. This boat has always steered stiffly and I’m wondering if the cable were installed in the wrong sides and that affected the steering resistance.

Can anyone confirm which side gets which length between the 18’ and 19’ cables? I’m stumped.

 

[dgfreeze]

Lol, that’s odd. I’m 99.9% certain port side is 19. This is because they run down the starboard side of the Hull, which means the port side needs to be longer, since it’s a little further away.

 

[Whiskey]

Lol, that’s odd. I’m 99.9% certain port side is 19. This is because they run down the starboard side of the Hull, which means the port side needs to be longer, since it’s a little further away.

Thank you for the sanity check, this make perfect sense. Much appreciated.

 

[Whiskey]

Cables are installed and the port side hung up half way on something and seems to have bent inside the housing. What a nightmare. I might have ruined the new cable as it doesn’t move freely. What a bonehead move.

Any one have an idea on anything to try to free up the cable or if thereis anything I can try to get it back to normal?

 

[dgfreeze]

I'm not aware of any way to repair damage to the cable inside the liner. If it's not too bad, I'd at least try to run the season on it, and replace it over winter.

 

[Whiskey]

I'm not aware of any way to repair damage to the cable inside the liner. If it's not too bad, I'd at least try to run the season on it, and replace it over winter.

I went ahead and ordered a replacement. Expensive learning experience.

If anyone sees this thread that's going to do this work, don't try to do this in the dark. I could have easily prevented the cable damage if I could have seen the very clean and simple cable routing under the starboard rear seats and engine hatch. I thought they ran under the storage compartment between the hull and stowage floor, but they run through the stowage compartment and engine bay. I've just been tied up with work and not able to get to the boat until late in the evening and using a flash light held in my teeth like a hillbilly.

 

[dgfreeze]

Ah, yes. I believe 06 is the last year for routing the cables down the starboard side of the hull. If I'm not mistaken, starting in 07, they do run down the middle, but then the cables are the same length. Coming down the starboard side is why we have two different lengths. Sorry about your bad luck. Knowledge is expensive sometimes. lol